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It has been over 500 days since the London club last lost a Women’s Super League game. This fact alone underscores the remarkable performance, and whichever way you present the statistics, they are daunting. Consider such examples: “The French manager is yet to lose a WSL game in 15 months in charge,” “Bompastor has won 23 of her 26 WSL matches without defeat” or “She is unbeaten in 34 domestic matches since moving to England.” All are accurate, all sound commanding, and—following four victories out of four this term—they are showing no signs of slowing down.

Which Team Will End This Run?

Sooner or later, Chelsea will lose a WSL game. It might not be this week, maybe not in the coming year, possibly not even this season. Perhaps it will not occur during this parliament, but one day it is inevitable, and reason suggests that the matches where their streak is most likely of ending are in one of their away games against their main competitors, Arsenal, City, or Manchester United. On Friday, the latter among them get their chance, and form-wise they have rarely been in a stronger position to try it.

Emma Hayes once remarked: ‘It’s rare that coaches are always considered as human beings.’

The top two teams in the early-season table face off in Leigh Sports Village under the lights and, even though the WSL season is just four games into the schedule, Manchester United enter the match with the best defense in the league. History supports the visitors though, because the most damning stat of all could be this: Manchester United have not defeated Chelsea in the WSL.

Actually, they have managed just a single tie from their eleven past WSL encounters. Even so, the home team’s head coach, Marc Skinner, wants his squad to have faith. “Without a doubt the toughest challenge in the WSL at present, naturally,” the manager commented. “We want to try to break that run when we play but it is a challenge.

“They are a highly efficient machine. Possessing exceptional skill, depth and quality, that they’ve built over many seasons. I expect the toughest of challenges on Friday and we must prepare fully.

“In my view, it is possible to hurt them with the ball, but you’ve got to be brave to attempt it, because it carries more risk since they excel in one-on-ones. It is essential to be confident that you can defeat them, and demonstrate Chelsea that you can.”

The Manager’s View on the Unbeaten Run

According to the coach, who led a clean sweep of trophies last term in her first season in English football, the statistics mean very little. “The narrative regarding the unbeaten run is mostly of interest to the journalists,” she stated. “Our season began anew from zero, we won four matches all played, and our goal is to approach each fixture with the desire for victory. We are early in the season, we did not achieve anything yet.”

The former Lyon coach recalls positively of playing at the venue, as that was the place her team clinched last season’s title on 30 April, with a 1-0 victory courtesy of a Bronze header. Now they face a United side that has conceded only one goal in four matches and Bompastor said: “They look strong and they’ve had a positive beginning to the season.

“In these games, it’s always challenging. Perhaps teams generate [fewer] chances compared to other games and you need to ensure your side is clinical and effective. I think that’s what makes the difference in top-tier games.”

Star Attackers to Watch

The top scorers in the WSL this term will be in action on either side: United’s Melvine Malard has four goals in four WSL games, just like Chelsea’s Aggie Beever-Jones, who has scored in each match.

The manager said, of the England’s striker's flourishing form: “From the beginning arrived at the club, I could recognise that she is a highly skilled player with a lot of talent, and also a well-rounded performer.

“Defensively she has been outstanding; she is the initial player in the frontline to apply the pressure. In possession, we have been putting in effort alongside her, trying so she can to be as successful as she can be in various areas of her game. Right now, she is really confident [and] which benefits the squad.”

The Importance of the Opening Score

It is a cliche in football is that “early goal will be crucial” but this appears particularly relevant in this match; Manchester United are unbeaten in each of the last twenty-five WSL games in which they have taken the first goal. If they can finally stop the drought for a first win over Chelsea, it could represent the first major twist in the WSL championship battle.